This has truly been a year of awakening for me.
2010 has, undeniably, witnessed the historical rise of the travel blogosphere, where many bloggers have planted their aspirations and watched them sprout, ascend and mature into the authorities on travel resources they are today. And their passion hasn't only been expressed on their blogs, but, twinned with Twitter's colossal growth, also in all mediums of social media. Personal enlightenments aside, what I reckon to be my proudest accomplishment this year is the establishment of The Travelling Editor – despite my sloth and lack of commitment, contrary to the amount of hard work many travel bloggers have expended. And tribute is what I would like to pay to my peers, as well as wishing every success in the year to come. There are several bloggers who I feel particularly indebted to. Whether they have made a positive impact on the development of The Travelling Editor or myself in a personal level – or, indeed in some case, both – they are to whom I must express gratitude.
So forget Google Page Rank. Forget Alexa. These travel bloggers are The Travelling Editor's most influential travel bloggers of 2010.
Laura Porter (About.com London Travel)
I remember Laura being one of the first people I'd actively conversed with on Twitter. Running About.com's London travel guide way before I started travel writing/blogging – since 2006 in fact – she has compiled a sizeable treasure grove of a travel information website, and is deservedly one of the leading authority on all things Londonian. It was an absolute privilege to meet her in real life for the first time in September, when I got to interview Laura for Felix. It was then when I got to the remarkable life story of hers, from the band-chasing days and the prompt settling down in London, to motherhood and landing a job with About.com. One understands how she has come out victorious on the road of endeavour – the way she emanates enthusiasm, determination, resourcefulness, passion, there's little surprise of her success.
Thank you, Laura – ever since I met you you've been a great source of inspiration, a good friend, and a voice of wise counsel when I opted to drop out of Imperial College to pursue a degree in journalism elsewhere. Your empathy is what I love and admire the most. Dearly looking forward to the adventures-to-come in your company!
Caz and Craig Makepeace (yTravel Blog)
2010 has seen numerous travel blogs springing from virtually nothingness to achieve greatness and popularity: prime examples include As We Travel, Globetrooper and Brendan's Adventures. Though nobody quite hit the accelerator as hard as the gang behind yTravel Blog. Caz and Criag are regulars on Travel Blog Exchange, and once I became acquainted with the travel blogging community website I became acquainted with them. All-round fun-seeking, life-loving Australians who had traversed across the world and have now returned to Australia (temporarily, I hope!), they have established an empire of a travel blog detailing their adventures and consequent enlightenments, as well as offering travel advice and recommendations. How remarkable their website grew – no doubt a result of their hard work – leaves me awe-stricken and envious. The Makepeaces: truly gems of the travel blogging community.
Thank you, Caz and Craig – for all the kind words on Twitter, for being fellow life enthusiasts who have proved round-the-world travel with a positive and affectionate attitude to be possible. Also much appreciation for being my role model and source of my aspirations for 2011. Sincerely hoping to meet you both in the flesh in the near future!
Teresa Gotay (Art of Backpacking)
To be frank, I have not heard of Art of Backpacking – in large part attributed to my ignorance – until June, when the website was at the forefront of media coverage for TBEX '10. Run by double-team Michael Tieso and Teresa Gotay, the blog practically ticked every box in my genre list: backpacking, travel blogging, escaping the grind, adventure. Then there were exchanges on Twitter, though more like discontinued volleys of dialogue. I've always craved for the opportunity to get to know my fellow travel bloggers – and, thanks to similarities in interest, these guys in particular. As I recall it, Teresa was gathering votes for a competition in hopes of winning a trip to the Netherlands – I offered to help spread the word. We began talking. Since then we've abandoned the limited-character stage and relocated to Facebook chat, where we continue to let the banter flow. For someone I've never met in real life (still disappointed it didn't happen the last time, better make it work this time eh?) I suppose it's as cozy as a virtual-media acquaintance gets.
Thank you, Teresa – despite the fact that we've never hung out in real life – soon to be rectified I hope – you've been a superb companion and someone-to-talk-to. You were there during some of the darkest hours of the past couple of months and you've always managed to put a smile on my face. You epitomise the sort of traveller I'm striving to become and, for that, I consider it an absolute pleasure to have met you. Let's free our friendship from the confines of the Facebook Chat text box in 2011.
Chris Richardson (The Aussie Nomad)
The moment I found him one day standing outside of the Ferrari shop on Regent Street, he was the Aussie Nomad. Australian expat, traveller of Continental Europe and finally resting his feet here in London, I've known Chris as a major player in the travel blogging community: not only from the reputation of his website, but also the way he interacts with others through social media. Coming out of a 'travel bloggers' meetup' (you understand the reason behind the inverted commas don't you Chris?) on the same day, I found myself a like-minded soul, a friend and, the greatest similarity between us above all, a partner-in-crime of alcoholic intoxication. I'm sure many travel bloggers out there can't agree more that if there is ever a techy Samaritan, it'll probably have to be Chris – he has helped masses of his peers, asking nothing in return other than brownie points. The noble traveller's spirit of giving-something-back manifests in him, and that sure has earned him a lot of respect – from me at least.
Thank you, Chris - you tend to give me the kick to the backside when I need it the most. You've been technical support, consultant, strategist, morale booster for The Travelling Editor, which I'm deeply grateful for. Getting me through some of the rough times as well as playing match-maker – cheers mate. Not half bad a drinking buddy either :p Lastly, and definitely the most significant of all,
Nicole Smith (Bitten By The Travel Bug)
They all begin with a chance encounter. This tale can be retraced to September when, on a Sunday (I think) morning, I read her tweet. Nicole was alone near Victoria, desperately trying to find a house to rent. I offered to meet with her, to which she agreed. And on that fateful afternoon we encountered each other, for the first time, at the travel section of the Picadilly Circus Waterstone's. What followed were coffee, Blackberry Messenger, Australian football, bucket lists – but mostly Blackberry Messenger. Never would I have predicted that the Australian, disgruntled journalism student would become my best friend over the next two months. It seemed logical, in hindsight, that our friendship would escalate during TBEX Europe, in Copenhagen – and with an imminent return-home date, we ventured courageously into a brisk, but affectionate relationship.
Thank you, Nicole – words simply cannot describe your impact on my life in 2010; nor can they express my gratitude to you in full quantity. You alone have influenced The Travelling Editor – both the website and the eponymous individual – more than anyone have. You alone have opened my eyes to choice never visible before, to possibilities never explored, to affections never felt. Writing this is drowning me in melancholy – though the sheer thought us never meeting each other is grimmer still. Missing you, don't wander out of my life – after all, I owe to you my future degree.
A final salute to you all. I wish you every success and every happiness in the coming year. Happy travels!
